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Spell-binding Trump storms clear of Higgins at halfway stage of World Championship final

Judd Trump reeled off eight frames from nine in the second session to open up a commanding 12-5 overnight lead over John Higgins in the 2019 World Championship final.

The duo could not be separated following a breath-taking eight frames in the first session which featured four centuries, but it was Trump who turned on the style in the evening to move within touching distance of a first Crucible crown.

Trump, who was beaten by Higgins in the 2011 world final, took his tally of centuries to four for the match as he thrilled the crowd with an exhibition of break-building in Sheffield.

The scoreline signals the most one-sided first day of a final since 2007, while no player has ever lost a World Championship final after reaching 11 or more frames on the opening day.

Trump began with breaks of 51 and 63 to lead 2-0 before Higgins halved the deficit in style with a majestic clearance of 139.

Trump responded brilliantly with a break of 105 before the Scot made a 69 break en route to levelling up at three apiece.

He then moved in front for the first time courtesy of a break of 101, but only for Trump to hit back in-kind with a 103 to restore parity heading into the second session.

It was 'as you were' in the evening as Higgins resumed with a sublime 125 clearance to regain the lead, but that proved to be his last meaningful contribution as Trump embarked on an emphatic spell of dominance.

The Masters Champion took the tenth frame 66-0 before adding a roof-raising break of 135 to move 6-5 ahead.

Trump took the following frame to go further clear before piling in a break of 114 which included a rare 16 reds to lead Higgins stranded in his seat.

A low-scoring fourteenth frame also went the way of 'The Ace in The Pack' before consecutive breaks of 71, 58 and 70 saw him storm into the distance and leave Higgins with a mountain to climb if he is to avoid suffering defeat in a third straight world final.

Play will resume at 2pm BST on Monday and to a finish from 7pm, with the winner pocketing a record £500,000.